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Problem of Evil

Decent Essays
1. (1) According to Buddhist beliefs, there is neither a soul nor an essential self. Karma is understood as good or bad intentional actions performed in the mind, body, and speech. Good intentions will lead to good consequences and bad intentions will lead to bad consequences. Therefore, good karma is better than bad karma, but no karma is better than good karma. The intentions performed in a small scale will affect a person’s life on a large scale. Each person is the cause of what he or she reaps in the world. The individual is responsible for his or her own karmic results. The way in which they think, the physical action that they perform, and what they say further affect karmic intentions and results. By knowing this, a person can change his or her behavior in an attempt to achieve good karmic results. In Buddhist Literature, there is a list of ten meritorious deeds:” generosity, morality, meditation, reverence, service, transference of merit, rejoicing in others’ merit, hearing the doctrine, teaching the doctrine, and straightening one’s views.” By completing at least one of the ten meritorious deeds, a person can experience good karma. For instance, if we are kind and help someone in need of help, whether or not we know him or her, then that is good karma. If someone is sick or injured and we offer them help to get better, then that is good karma. On the other hand, if we curse because we miss the bus or the bus is late to bring us to school or work, then this is bad
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